Any experiences with rotosound PSD 99?

Asa Samuel · #1 08-30-2007, 12:17 PM

just wondering what people thought of these strings.

any sound clips that arent the one on the rotosound website?

long lasting? bright? worth getting?

Thanks for any info.
Bass_Junkie.

One Drop · #2 08-31-2007, 01:31 PM

A friend had some on his P- They sounded like Roto 66s without the clank- real piano tone, very pure.

Asa Samuel · #3 08-31-2007, 01:37 PM

sounds good to me.

!Rob! · #4 08-31-2007, 01:47 PM

I've tried em, sorry no clips though. They are awesome, with sustain though the roof.

They can be tricky to put on, but as long as you're careful and follow the instructions properly, you'll be ok. I would switch to them on all my basses if they weren't so expensive, so I'll just stick to my 66's.

Asa Samuel · #5 08-31-2007, 01:52 PM

why tricky?

!Rob! · #6 08-31-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Junkie

why tricky?

You have to put the "balls" on the ends yourself...(actually they are more like cones)

At the bridge the string rides on the core only, and the distance between the bridge and where the "wound part" starts has to be between 6mm and 8mm, therefore because there are hundreds of different style bridges out there, you have to install the "ends" to get the right measurment yourself. The "balls" are VERY large so they may not work on some basses. I had no problem with mine, but it took me over an hour to install 5 strings, at first I was paranoid that one would break (as they ride on the core = thin wire) but they are very strong.

Also, you will have to reset your action intonation after the install as your strings will be slightly closer to your pups. (like 1mm or so.)

What kind of bass are you planning on putting them on? (If it's your Squier, and it's the stock bridge, you'll be fine)

Asa Samuel · #7 08-31-2007, 02:15 PM

actually i'm selling my squire, i would be putting it on a westfield jazz bass, its an extremely similar bridge, extremely standard looking.

i think i might stick with me 66's though.

!Rob! · #8 08-31-2007, 02:16 PM

Found this pic to help my explanation...

On the right is the "cone" then the core travels throught the bridge and 6 - 8mm passed the saddle, and that's where the "wound" part of the string starts.

Asa Samuel · #9 08-31-2007, 02:19 PM

ok yeah, i understand now.

i'll stick to my 66s though, seems a bit simpler.

!Rob! · #10 08-31-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Junkie

actually i'm selling my squire, i would be putting it on a westfield jazz bass, its an extremely similar bridge, extremely standard looking.

i think i might stick with me 66's though.

Will work fine on the WJB, they are very similar to 66's I found. Other than trying them out once, all my basses have always had 66s. There was an increase in sustain, and the sound was a bit more "piano"ish. But for someone like me who puts new strings on quite often, it wasn't worth the added expense.

Asa Samuel · #11 08-31-2007, 02:21 PM

ok.

Thanks for the info.
Bass_Junkie.

joelb79 · #12 08-31-2007, 02:36 PM

Soundclips!?

I have RS 99 sound clips.

I just have to go home and edit them. They are a full band kinda thing though.

!Rob! · #13 08-31-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelb79

Soundclips!?

I have RS 99 sound clips.

I just have to go home and edit them. They are a full band kinda thing though.

I'd like to hear em.

One Drop · #14 09-01-2007, 03:56 AM

Strangely enough, I have a set of Roto SS strings from the late '70s that have an exposed core that rides over the bridge, but with regular ball-ends. Does anyone know if they made 99s back then, or if they were a contemporary version of the Swingbass 66 strings? They don't sound as clanky as 66s, either, but I always thought they were the standard 66s.

rsautrey · #15 09-01-2007, 10:47 AM

In the 70's, Rotosound (james Howe Industries) developed a brand called Superwound that were piano string design (exposed core). Back then, the 99's didn't exist and the Superwounds were available with ball ends already attached but you had to buy the type for your specific instrument (Fender, Alembic, etc.). Eventually, the Superwound brand was discontinued. Then, Rotosound started making the RS99 PSD sets but in only one gauge, roundwound, and with adjustable ball ends to accommodate any brand of bass . The Superwounds had many different gauges available and if I recall correctly were available in roundwound, polished roundwound, and possibly flatwounds too.

One Drop · #16 09-02-2007, 04:44 AM

Wow, thanks for the info, rsautrey. I had the store install these when I bought the Rick new in '78, so I never saw the package. I still have the OEM Ricky flats, too.